Wyloo Mines is charging ahead with mine planning and gearing up for an updated feasibility study next year. The company has its sights set on the Ring of Fire development and is actively engaged in environmental studies and permitting activities. According to the current timeline, construction is slated to commence in 2027, with production expected to kick off by the end of 2030.
Despite Wyloo’s aspirations, the project is encountering resistance from Indigenous leaders. The province asserts that there are nine First Nations located within the Ring of Fire. While two of these nations – Webequie and Marten Falls – have inked memorandums of understanding with Wyloo and are spearheading the environmental assessment for a proposed road to the Ring of Fire, the project faces opposition from ten First Nations of Treaty 9. These nations have united under the umbrella of the Land Defence Alliance, vehemently opposing mining activities on their territories in a bid to safeguard their lands and waters.
Wyloo has positioned itself to emerge as one of the prominent pure-play nickel producers on the global stage, positioning itself outside of Russia. The colossal strides made by the company include emerging triumphant in a bidding war in 2021 for the Canadian junior Noront Resources, subsequently rebranding it as Ring of Fire. Furthermore, in 2023, it acquired Mincor Resources, an Australian entity, and consolidated all assets under the Wyloo Metals banner last September.
The far-reaching Wyloo portfolio encompasses mines in Kambalda, Western Australia, the Eagle’s Nest development in Ontario, and prospective sites in the Cape-Smith belt in Quebec.